A senior Bush administration official told Reuters the United States was very concerned about the political deadlock in Lebanon, which Washington blames on Syrian meddling, and the U.S. military gesture underlined that worry.
"The United States believes a show of support is important for regional stability. We are very concerned about the situation in Lebanon. It has dragged on very long," said the senior official, who spoke on condition he was not named.
Lebanon's western-backed governing coalition and its Syrian- and Iranian-backed opposition have failed to reach a deal to end the country's political conflict.
"Our sense is that there is increased nervousness, with Hezbollah people making threats and a general sense that this is not going to get resolved," said the senior official.
The United States has increased pressure on Syria in recent weeks, targeting more individuals with sanctions.
"It is part of a drumbeat of action by us and by other members of the international community to show our concern about the behavior of the Syrians," the U.S. official said.
The presidential election in Lebanon was postponed again this week to March 11 from February 26, the 15th such delay, after rival leaders failed to reach a deal.
The deadlock has threatened to degenerate into sectarian violence and continues to poison inter-Arab relations in the run-up to an Arab summit in Syria next month.
A U.S. defense official said the Cole left Malta on Tuesday and was headed toward Lebanon, adding it would not be within visible range of Lebanon but "well over the horizon."
"The point would be to encourage stability during a potentially critical period," the official said.
The defense official indicated the Cole could be replaced by the USS Nassau, an amphibious assault ship. The Nassau is in the Atlantic and en route to the Mediterranean, the official said.
President George W. Bush ordered the move earlier this week as a sign of concern over Lebanon and told close U.S. allies about it.
"The president is concerned about the situation in Lebanon and discusses the issue regularly with his national security team," said National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe, when asked to comment on the latest military move.
Picture: USS Cole. On October 12, 2000, while at Aden harbor for a routine fuel stop, al Qaeda suicide bombers attacked the ship killing seventeen sailors and wounding 39 others. The explosion put 35 -36 foot gash in the ship's port side. The warship underwent a $250 million repair and returned to its home port on April 26 2002
Reuters, Ya Libnan
Tags: Bush, Hezbollah, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, USS Cole
